Originally posted by lazs2
"Two points, really. One, is every time you get on your high horse about the evils of socialism I feel the need to point out that you are biting the hand that feeds you. Some people may view it as hypocrisy on your part. How did you swing a gas allowance/reimbursement bene? What a nice deal that is for you! What if the county proposes an increase in taxes to help defray the recent, drastic increased cost in gas? Would you favor such an increase?
Second, the '69 El Camino is one of the most beautiful vehicles ever made, IMO. The lines just look so...right."
first... you are right on your last point... the 69 just looks right..
Socialism is pure evil. Water and wastewater plants are about 50/50 prvate and public owned... in most cases the private plants are WAY more cost effective but...
There is more to it than that. It is impossible for private entities to remove all liability from the city sooooo... most cities run the plants themselves in order to better control their liability
In my case it makes not much difference... I would be paid as much either way. I would have a job either way... there aren't enough qualified people at this time.
now... as for my "gas allowance"... do you think I should pay for gas to do the work of the city? should UPS drivers for instance... pay for fuel for their deliveries? If you do deliveries for a company most companies will figure fuel into the pay...
as for raising taxes for fuel costs.... any item that raises the cost of doing the job will affect the budget the next year... Again... what is your point?
and... as for the union thing... it is merely choice... If you wish to continue to contribute to the candidates the union selects you would not be prevented from doing so under prop 75. The key is that union dues are your money that is being spent to contribute to candidates that you may or may not agree to. Hell.... I don't care to pay less.... let the money go to other union benifiets... widows and orphans.... whatever.
It is simply a matter of choice and fairness.
lazs
I disagree that socialism is "pure evil", any more than capitalism is "pure evil". Public schools, municipal fire and police departments, road maintenance depts, water and wastewater treatment - all these are examples of socialism, and all can serve their purposes well if citizens stay involved and keep a close eye on them. I think there is a tendency to exaggerate on this board to make a point.
If I were a taxpayer in your county, I would prefer not to pay for your gas commuting to and from work. Outside of that, I got no problem, but if a vehicle is constantly required for daily tasks, perhaps the county should provide one for your facility. I doubt UPS drivers own their trucks...
Laz, is it your impression that municipal wastewater treatment was once an industry dominated by private service providers and has been 'taken over' by government monopolies? Or is the other way around - an industry once dominated by publicly-funded and run facilities is now being threatened with privatization, on the promises of cost reductions and reduced taxpayer load?
